How does an engine anti-wear repair agent ensure the stability of its protective film under high-temperature, high-pressure engine conditions?
Publish Time: 2026-02-02
The internal working environment of modern engines is extremely harsh: temperatures near the combustion chamber can exceed 200°C, and the instantaneous pressure at the piston ring-cylinder wall contact point reaches several gigapascals, accompanied by high-speed friction, oxidation corrosion, and oil deterioration. The claim of engine anti-wear repair agents to "form a smooth and tough protective film on metal surfaces" is not only about advertising effectiveness but also directly affects engine lifespan and operational reliability. Especially when the product contains active ingredients such as organic molybdenum and nano-boron rare earth elements, its film-forming mechanism and high-temperature, high-pressure stability become the core technology. This article will analyze the stability of this protective film under extreme conditions from four aspects: film-forming principle, material properties, operating condition adaptability, and empirical performance.
1. Organic Molybdenum: High-Temperature Self-Assembly to Form a Low-Shear-Strength Lubricating Film
Organic molybdenum, as a classic anti-wear additive, undergoes thermal decomposition under high temperature and pressure, releasing active molybdenum elements, which react with iron atoms on the metal surface to form composite films such as molybdenum sulfide or molybdenum phosphate. MoS₂ has a typical layered crystal structure with weak interlayer bonding and extremely low shear strength, enabling it to form a "graphite-like" solid lubricant layer between friction pairs. Crucially, this reaction requires temperatures above 150°C to be effectively activated—precisely matching the normal operating temperature of the engine. Therefore, organic molybdenum does not take effect during cold starts, but rather dynamically generates a protective film in high-temperature, high-load regions, and this film remains structurally stable and resistant to oxidation and failure even below 300°C.
2. Nano-boronized rare earth: Micro-area filling and grain boundary strengthening
Nano-boronized rare earth particles typically range in size from 20 to 80 nanometers, possessing high hardness, high melting point, and chemical inertness. During engine operation, these nanoparticles flow randomly with the oil to wear pits or scratches, embedding themselves into metal surface defects under contact pressure, achieving "physical filling." More importantly, rare earth elements have strong adsorption and catalytic activity, promoting the densification of the oxide film on the metal surface and inhibiting grain boundary slip. Boron can penetrate the surface layer to form a hard boride phase, increasing local hardness. This "filling + strengthening" mechanism not only makes the repaired surface smooth but also resistant to re-wear.
3. Synergistic Stability of the Composite Film: Temperature Resistance, Pressure Resistance, and Oxidation Resistance
Using organic molybdenum or nanomaterials alone has limitations: MoS₂ is easily oxidized to MoO₃ in humid environments, and nanoparticles are prone to detachment without adhesion. However, the combination of the two produces a synergistic effect—the decomposition products of organic molybdenum can encapsulate nanoparticles, enhancing their anchoring ability on metal surfaces; simultaneously, the resulting composite film combines the lubricity of MoS₂ with the mechanical strength of rare earth boride. Experiments show that this type of composite film maintains a low coefficient of friction under 250℃ and 2 GPa contact pressure, and no peeling or pulverization occurred after 500 hours of bench testing. Furthermore, rare earth elements can capture free radicals in engine oil, delaying base oil oxidation and indirectly extending the life of the protective film.
In summary, the engine anti-wear repair agent containing organic molybdenum and nano-boron rare earth elements constructs a composite protective layer on the metal surface through a dual pathway of chemical reaction film formation and physical embedding repair, possessing lubricity, hardness, and thermal stability. Its long-lasting effectiveness in real engine environments has been fully verified from materials science principles to engineering practice, providing reliable technical support for extending engine life and improving operational efficiency.
